Coast Guard responds to grounded landing craft in Port of Anchorage

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Coast Guard is responding the grounding of a landing craft at the Port of Anchorage Thursday.

“The Coast Guard is committed to ensuring the safety of the waterway and preventing any pollution from the grounding,” said Lt. William Albright, the Coast Guard Marine Casualty Investigating Officer. “We are actively investigating the cause of the incident.”

The 53-foot Anchorage-based Sealander ran aground at the Port of Anchorage public small boat ramp Thursday morning with the master and an injured crewmember aboard. Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders received notification from the Anchorage Fire Department of the incident at 6:02 a.m. and dispatched two pollution responders and two marine casualty investigators.

Coast Guard responders have not reported any pollution and state there is minimal damage to the vessel. There is reportedly 100 to 200 gallons of diesel aboard the vessel.

The crewman suffered an injury to his arm prior to the grounding when it became entangled in the anchor chain earlier in the morning. He has since been taken to Providence Hospital for treatment. The master of the vessel was taken into custody by Anchorage Police Department officers.

“Drug and alcohol testing is being conducted in accordance with standard investigation procedures,” said Albright.

The Coast Guard is monitoring the vessel, which remains aground on the Port of Anchorage public boat launch, and is working with the owner to refloat it on the next high tide. The weather at the time of the incident was reportedly light winds and a clear sky with an air temperature of 31 degrees Fahrenheit.